Thomas Paul Barr Sr.

Barr Thomas Paul, Sr. February 7, 1936 - May 17, 2024 Thomas Paul Barr, Sr. was born on February 7, 1936 at Philadelphia General Hospital. He grew up on S. Dover Street in the Grays Ferry neighborhood of Philadelphia, the oldest of eight brothers. His heart - and businesses - remained there even after he moved to the Mayfair neighborhood in 1971 with his wife and children. Tom graduated from Southeast Catholic High School in 1954. Tom won the Perri Award for mathematics. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954, in the 82nd Airborne, where he earned extra pay as a paratrooper despite his fear of heights. He enjoyed exploring Augsburg, Germany, where he was stationed, as well as trips to Capri and Austria during leave. After being honorably discharged from service in 1957, Tom eventually joined National Cash Register where he was trained as a repairman. Tom provided service to NCR customers throughout Camden in the 1960s before gaining the South Philadelphia territory. When Tom left NCR in 1974 to start his own repair business, Barr Cash Register Co., his first customer was "Mama" Giordano, who recommended him to clients throughout the Italian Market. Tom was the owner of two corner bars in South Philadelphia, which he managed into his 80s. In his 60s, he added a karaoke operation, Old Timers Karaoke, eventually retiring from that business in his 70s. In the last years of his life, Tom was devoted to the care of his wife Mary. Tom, always in motion, worked from an early age, shining shoes, delivering newspapers and reselling card decks he rummaged from the trash behind South Philadelphia social clubs. He also enjoyed his free time, playing the ponies, walking in FDR Park ("The Lakes") or around Pennypack, reading the newspaper and books on history, watching the Eagles/Phillies/Sixers/Flyers, and listening to music of all genres, including classical, opera and American standards. Tom is survived by his wife Mary Isabelle Mulgrew Barr, whom he married at Incarnation Roman Catholic Church in Olney in 1963; five children: Thomas Paul Jr. (Aine Gallagher), Mary Elizabeth Barr Mann (Erik), Sarah Barr (Cree Krull), Susan Barr-Toman, and Jennifer Kathleen Dougherty (Christopher); nine grandchildren: Natasha Verdon Holsey (Brian), Thomas Robert Barr (Jessica McGee), Ian and Oona Toman, Aidan and Niccolo Barr Bono, Ethan and Susanna Mann, and Owen Dougherty; and two great grandchildren, Amari Holsey and Ada Barr, and his brothers Robert, Richard (Barbara) and John (Carmel). Tom was predeceased by his parents David and Mary Elizabeth (née Bell), brothers David, James, Joseph (Deborah) and William (Sandra), and his son-in-law Peter Toman. Visitation at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church, 2917 Dickinson St, Philadelphia, PA, May 22, 5:30-7:30 P.M. Visitation May 23, 9:30-10:30 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers,Tom's family asks that donations be made to St. Gabriel's Catholic Church stgabes.org or Friends of FDR Park at fdrparkphilly.org.